According to a study published in the August issue of the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, metal modular radial heads with smooth stem implants may be associated with reduced risk of complication compared to those with porous stems. 

The researchers conducted a retrospective cohort study of 57 patients who underwent radial head arthroplasty in the first 4 weeks after trauma, using either smooth stem implants (n = 21) or porous stem implants (n = 36). At mean 6.3-year follow-up, they found that average Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand and Mayo Elbow Performance Index scores were similar across cohorts. However, porous implants were more prone to osteolysis and were linked with a greater loss of elbow flexion and a greater tendency toward overstuffing. Learn more...